It is highly unusual for a traditionally
conservative Company, Nikon to introduce an official camera model for celebrating
an event. In April 1998, Nikon announced availability of a 50th Anniversary camera
model based on their flagship SLR camera, the Nikon F5.
This limited edition Nikon F5 was introduced mainly to commemorate Nikon's 50th year
of entering business in the manufacturing of camera (year counted based on their
first Nikon rangefinder camera, the Nikon 1,1948.

Are there any significant differences
between the standard Nikon F5 and this anniversary model ? Physically, most noticeable
difference was the color at the top plate as well at the viewfinder where it was
chromed in a special rusty-chrome color (difficult to express it in English, It fact,
I have to use an actual F5 Anniversary model beside me to tune the Jpeg file to its
closest color appears on my computer screen, it is hard to describe, but the colour
was very similar to the late classic, Olympus OM-3Ti's). I was told the top plate,
like the prism, was also made of Titanium, I can't confirm it yet from any reliable
source. Another major visual difference is the standard, strikingly red color strip
locates at the inner section of the hand grip has been replaced with grayish colour.
If you have seen the pre-productionmockup models of the F5, there are some visual similarity
between them. A similar gray color plastic body cap was supplied as standard accessory
with the package.

The rear section has a special silk
screen print-on emblem of the original Nikon logo where the previous trade name of
Nikon, 'Nippon
Kogaku' Tokyo 50' was
marked beside the serial number printed on the flip-out cover of the rear hidden
control panel.

The inner portion of the hand grip
was originally colored in a striking red. It has been replaced with a matching gray
color (Well, I should say, the color of the body cap matches the hand grip...). Surprise
to see a detachable hand grip as such ? Don't be, in years to come, at least you
know you can change it as a wear and tear replacement aprt for your F5 even if you
seriously give your F5 some tough workouts in the fields.

For quite a while, we have not
seen an official special-production Nikon camera with reasonable quantity since the
Gold
Edition of Nikon FA
back in 1984. The previous much-hyped Nikon FM2T
'Year of the Dog ' should not be considered as an official model, as the rare
300 units was an idea of the Taiwanese distributors (Stephen Gandy of CameraQuest
defended my remark with a different
opinion). That was
one of the reasons the response from the Nikon followers and collectors were so overwhelming
with this 50th Anniversary F5. The scheduled 2,000 units was originally only meant
for domestic market in Japan. A friend from Japan wrote:-

"...when it was announced
Apr 21, 1998,
the 2000 units were
easily 'digested' by the local Nikon fans and those who have booked it late was informed
there was an incredible long waiting list and one has to expect cancellation of any
pre-order in order to get one. I could not get one either, consequently many of my
friends faced the similar situation......".

Subsequently, many enthusiastic
collectors outside Japan got to know this special variant and have voiced their dissatisfaction
for the unavailability to fans outside Japan; Nikon eventually obliged (strange,
those guys can hear complaints at times...) by re-arranging the production line for
an additional
1000 units* to fulfill demands for markets outside
their homeland. One thing was for sure, as I have also encouraged Shriro (the then
local distributor for Nikon in Malaysia - Nikon finally has opened an official branch
office here) to ship in 50-80 units for local Nikon fans. Miss Rissa Chan, their
Sales Manager was quite worried as the prevailing economic situation caused by the
Asian Financial Crises in Asia as well as the implementation of the tight Foreign
Exchange Control measures
in Malaysia but she was courageous enough to forward an a request for 50 units from
the Japan Headquarter in September, 1997. She was allotted 30 units (That is 10%
of the total number for the US market, totaling 300/1000). It was snapped up within
half a day upon arrival in mid-November, 1997.

Personal conclusion: - Less thoughtful/considerate
was the omission of a Multi-function Control back MF-28 as its standard
accessory in the package because 10-15% long list of impressive features in a Nikon
F5 was when you mounted a MF-28 at the rear ... I would not think Nikon was generous
enough to offer a Photo Secreatry also as accessory for the highly collectible F5A
but MF-28 Data Back should be included .

After all,
how much would it adds to the cost if one can afford such a collecor piece ? especially
when you relate many people were still flocking in to buy the modern replica of a
USD5,000-00 Nikon S3 or a USD6,800-00 SP rangefinder. Without the MF-28, The 50th
Anniversary F5 was like a tail-less tiger, not exactly important - but it will make
a fearsome beast looks more like tiger, hehe ....